A Scrap of Humanity

Scrap of Humanity


Part X

To live for him

SASUKE POV


There was just something I couldn't figure out. After observing the behavior between my traitorous brother and Naruto, the words he'd spat at me before he whisked Naruto away were starting to make sense. The thing I was confused at was 'why?'. What purpose could he have for brainwashing Naruto? Why would he want to use affection to control him when he could just use Sharingan? Also, what had happened to Naruto? What lies had he told him. Whatever happened, Naruto was stupidly unaware and seemingly like he'd forgotten Konoha and incidentally me. It was like Naruto didn't exist in Naruto's head anymore and that this was just a shell of some strange person in Naruto's body. Yet still, it was hard to believe that Itachi, even being a genius could control a mind so that you couldn't even tell that they were being controlled at all. Naruto looked so vividly alive and like his emotions were still there. It had baffled me to no end. I knew my brother was good at genjutsu, but not that good. Kakashi had said that there were things I had to learn about Mangenkyou. That the user could make you see whatever they wanted you to see, so it could be quite possible that Itachi was making Naruto see a kind-hearted person, and for all the blonde was worth, his desire for family and what not could have enhanced the effect. I supposed that it made sense, but I still didn't know what purpose Itachi had for Naruto and that in itself angered me.

Kakashi and I were still on observation. Nothing other their behavior seemed of suspicion though. It was really bizarre. No strange people or events had happened in the week we'd been observing them. It sickened me to have to watch every day Naruto acting as if they were lovers. In addition, it was driving me absolutely insane. It was almost as if Naruto was seeking his approval. Why would that idiot need the approval of a cold hearted murderer, a traitor to his home and family? That idiot was turning out to be way more trouble than I'm sure any of us thought. It was so frustrating. I wanted so badly to just take Naruto back by force and end this stupid mission. I was not made out for observing my brother. I trained to defeat him. Each day I was forced to observe, I could feel my patience slipping.


Today, I was observing the two from a bistro close to the hotel that they had been seen frequenting. Kakashi had a meeting with some apparently secret sources so I was forced to observe solo. My luck today seemed to be somewhat decent as I had seen Itachi leave alone. Even though I wanted to follow, Kakashi had strictly forbade me to do so, saying that it could possibly screw up retrieving Naruto. As I watched I noticed Naruto alone walking from the hotel. It seemed that perhaps I had a chance to really see what was going on. I stood up to take my chance but lost sight of him in the crowd as he disappeared into the marketplace. I cursed my foul luck.

"You know Sasuke, I forgive you for what you did."

I stiffened. Hearing that familiar voice. It was lacking the abrasiveness that the old Naruto had, but I knew it was him. I turned slowly to stand face to face with my old rival. He looked different up close. His features were starting to mature and I felt an old painful stirring of want for him. His eyes, they were the same. They didn't have the look of someone under genjutsu. Suddenly a pit formed in my stomach. This wasn't possible.


"Sit back down. I was going to order some lunch."


Wordlessly I listened and sat stiffly in the chair. Naruto sat across from me and grinned. It was the same stupid one I was used to. I was tense as I observed his movements. Everything was exactly how he used to be. His mannerisms, his voice as he spoke about useless things. There was no way Itachi could have made a jutsu this exact. I was feeling scared that we had lost Naruto and to of all people, my brother. I couldn't help myself. I had to know.


"Why are you here with him?!"


Naruto shut his mouth and blinked at me confusedly. "Why am I here with who?"


"It-my brother!" I growled. "How can you be like that with him knowing what he is and what he's done?!"


Naruto's smile came back, but it was soft and kind of sad. "He saved me. He's always been there for me when I needed him. He's been watching over me since I was young making sure from the shadows that no harm came to me." My eyes narrowed as he looked downward. "You don't really understand do you Sasuke?" He sighed and looked out toward the marketplace. "Itachi came to me one night after a mission. I've always had that shit apartment you know? When I was young and alone the thing was crumbling. I was afraid of storms and the damn thing nearly blew apart each time. Barely liveable..."


Suddenly a vivid image of Naruto as a child sitting in the corner crying while the wind rushed his home came to me. It was wrenching. As he told the story of how he met Itachi, I must say that I was torn. Images of my brother showing warmth to Naruto that he previously had shown no one else bothered me. In ways I was jealous of Naruto for the affection he got that as a younger sibling, I had longed for. In the same turn though, I was jealous that no one ever had a chance with Naruto in the first place because Itachi had ensured that from the beginning. It seemed as if Itachi had been planning this theft of Naruto from the start and had been looking for the right moment to strike. I was so deep in thought that I almost missed the last thing Naruto said.

"...it was like No one in Konoha cared, but he showed me a compassion that I never knew."

Naruto had changed. His voice was softer and more practiced. His eyes were thoughtful as he told what I'm sure had been on his mind for a long time. For the life of me, I couldn't stay mad at him for what I heard. I wanted to so badly, but to know that he had been alone and crying out for someone; to know that the person who answered was so unlikely; it all started to make sense. His desires to become strong, to protect those he loved. Naruto's success had been the product of some urge Itachi had instilled in him long before anyone else and as a child he hadn't remembered who, just the what of it. He never had the desire to hurt anyone, more importantly me. Itachi had seen potential in him and instead of spurning it, he welcomed and cultured it. In angered me that he had taken what was rightfully mine before I'd even had the chance. What hurt more was that I knew that I would not have built it up as he had.


"I know why you're here. I'm not going home until I am strong enough to protect those I hold dear. Only then can I rightfully take my place as hokage." He grinned.


The words held conviction that I only remember came from him in battle. He wanted desperately to still protect the village that spurned him, even by risking all.

"you'll be considered a missing Nin you know. You will never be Hokage then."


He stood up. "Tell Baa-chan and Iruka-sensei that I'm fine and I can't wait to see them again and that I'm getting strong for them....and for you Sasuke. I will change your fate no matter how much you may hate me."


After that he was gone.

NARUTO POV

I felt bad. I had gotten my full memories back. It felt bad to be hiding things from Itachi, but at the same time I felt bad knowing that I was also hurting Sasuke. Everything I had said was true. I was going to become strong enough to protect Itachi, he was my most precious person. I wanted to be able to protect him above all else. He obviously wasn't the only person, I had friends, and people I considered family that I'd give my life to protect. He was my main source of strength though. The one person who'd seen past the demon before anyone else and had told me to get strong for him, it was something I was determined to do. I knew that I was risking losing my dream forever, but there was no way I was going to exclude my one person from my life because of unfortunate circumstances. My home may not have understood, but I did. Itachi in my eyes had made some bad choices, but the intention had never been foul. Perhaps he'd seen that the only way to change things was to start from the ground up. To start with one uncorrupted by the ill intent of the clan. His choice had been Sasuke. Free of "genius" status and innocent of the workings of his clan. Itachi had hoped that Sasuke would grow strong and the opposite of him, but it just seemed as if the two were so much alike that it was impossible for Sasuke to do anything but hate Itachi for his choices. Everything was so damn complicated.


My run in with Sasuke had gone better than expected. I knew he was here. During my time with Itachi he'd taken to teaching me some new tricks. He was trying to help me harness some of Kyuubi's energy. He had been a real master at sensing people. I was a complete dolt in that area, but tapping Kyuubi allowed me to see, hear, and smell things better. At first it was annoying. I couldn't distinguish scents because there were too many. the hum of noise was constant and made me restless. As I got better though. I learned to tune things out, yet still observe them if I needed. This was how I knew they were here. First was Sasuke's smell. It was definitely distinct, similar to Itachi, but still different. He smelled like Konoha. Trees, tea, polish, ink, and peach blossoms all combined together in his scent. It was a different scent than this whole town had. It was more earthy where as the people here had the smell of snow, cinnamon, burning wood, and pine. Next after his smell, was his voice. At first I admit that I didn't know he was here until he'd been here for a day or so. I heard it though. Just briefly on the wind. He was arguing with Kakashi, but I knew it was him.


I felt so different with Itachi. All the things he'd cultured in me I think had a big change on me as a whole. It almost felt as if some of him and some of Kyuubi were merging into my personality. I felt more calm, and more perceptive. I wasn't as loud, but definitely more thoughtful. It was like I knew that this travel with Itachi had danger of being stopped and us killed at any point in time. Like my dream world could dissipate and I'd be back in that little apartment, alone. After all, I wasn't stupid. I knew konoha had it in for him. And in our quest, he'd betrayed akatsuki, so they too would be out for blood. He was strong, but I doubted he could take on an organization that had some of the most powerful ninja in the world, all by himself. This was why I was trying so hard. I wanted to fight with him and protect him against it all. Sasuke had been right. My dream of being hokage was quickly flying out the window, but still if I could not protect those I loved and lead one stray sheep back to the flock, how could I ever hope to protect an entire village?


Needless to say, my current goals conflicted with that of my home. I really wondered if Sasuke would rat me out. Would he do it for spite, or anger? Or would he keep my secret. Would he be the friend that I saw him as despite our odds? I worried about this. As of now my home was with Itachi, on the run, but I had always hoped to be able to return to Konoha him by my side to live out my dreams to the fullest. I was torn with a love for my village and love for...well... my lover. All things considered, even if I was a missing nin, I know it would be long out before Tsunade-baa would even let my status change to that. The woman had high hopes in me, and I didn't want to crush those.


All my thinking had led me to an old corner of shops. THe furthest back was a book store. My interest was peaked and I walked in. At first my senses were disturbed by the musty smell of old paper and binding glue. I tuned it out after a second. The store looked weathered and like it had a history. I wondered if there were any books about ninja since it seemed that this village was completely devoid of that culture. I wondered if it was always like this, or if this was the end result after evolving past ninja and fighting. If this was the end result, would everyone forget the art of ninjutsu and its history. I fell so deep into my ruminations that I almost ran into another customer. I sobered up immediately, apologizing for the near collision and backing away. It was then that I recognized the scent and looked up to stare directly into Itachi's eyes.


"What are you doing with your head in the clouds?"


I grinned as I heard his question. "Oh you know me...always getting curious and always getting into trouble."


His hand came softly down on my head, and I could see a small smile grace his lips as he considered my answer. The familiar weight felt good and I closed my eyes feeling completely comfortable in his presence. I could feel his approval as he gazed at me. A twinge of guilt ran through me, but still, I felt confident it what I had with him.


"You'll stay with me won't you?" I heard him ask suddenly. I didn't expect it. "I know it's hard on you..." he murmured. "I know that I've taken you away from everything, but I think that I..." He drew off as his hand dropped to his side.


"Why would you doubt me? You are everything I want." I told him with conviction. Yes I missed home, but home was becomming wherever Itachi was. Yes I wanted to be hokage, but not without him by my side. "I won't ever leave you." I grabbed his hand tightly as if to reassure him.


"come, they will be searching for us soon." He said more firmly as he pulled me after him.

Sasuke POV


"So, was your scouting successful today?"


I didn't know what to answer. I'd been thinking about Naruto and the whole situation. Did I want to tell Kakashi the truth and spite Naruto by taking his dream away? Did I want to protect his reputation? After all he'd revealed to me. I honestly didn't know if I could let him become a missing nin. I didn't want him to suffer even more despite how angry I was at the situation.


"My outside source has it under good authority that Itachi may have abandoned or been abandoned by Akatsuki. He says that there are rumors here and there of them out to kill a former member." Kakashi sighed tiredly. "It would make sense if he has his own agenda and was using their resources until he caught Naruto." He pulled the book out of his pocket pretending to read. "The only thing is what."


"I came in contact with him today." I blurted out. I could tell Kakashi's interest came on me despite his nose staying in the book. "Naruto." I clarified. "He talked to me. Said he knew that we were there."


"So am I to believe he didn't want to go back?" I didn't answer at first. "If it's his choice to stay he will be marked as--"


"I know!" I snapped. "He said lots of unNaruto things. He didnt' seem himself." I lied knowing full well that Naruto was not under Jutsu. "It was like some ploy. Like Itachi wanted us to see, or abandon him."


Kakashi hmmmed thoughtfully for a moment. "The situation has become dire then. we have to report back to Konoha immediately. If Itachi knows we're here then this could very easily become dangerous."


"And Naruto?" I asked afraid of the answer.


" The mission will be marked as failed. Our main goal now is to discover Itachi's objective before it gets out of hand." I clenched my fist angrily. "Tsunade will not let him become a missing nin."


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Well it's been forever ago since I updated. Many apologies for that. Life to say the least has been in a dark area for me for a while. I was pretty depressed and didn't want to write anything new. That and I was without internets for a while. If there are any of you still keeping up with me, I really commend you for your patience and thank you for your time. Hopefully quicker updates soon?


Marked will be updated as soon as I can find the damn file for the chapter I wrote. ten thousand words disappeared onto my harddrive and I'd like to not rewrite that since I don't think I could mimic the groove I was in.